Weekdays March 12-16 | KidFriendly DC

Get ready for spring with some outdoor time at Huntley Meadows

Monday – See the city from a new vantage point at the Old Post Office Clock Tower. It’s free to visit and go up to the observation deck of the third tallest building in DC. It’s located in what is now the Trump International Hotel, but the Clock Tower is operated independently by the National Park Service. Open daily from 9am – 5pm Monday – Saturday this time of year (12-6pm on Sunday). Just head to the location at 12th and Pennsylvania NW and follow signs once inside.

Tuesday – Head to the National Museum of the American Indian for story time and hands-on fun and learning. From 11:15 – 11:45am, there will be an interactive reading of “The Goat in the Rug,” a tale about a goat named Geraldine whose wool is woven into a rug by her Navajo friend Nasbah. Plan to stay after to explore the imagiNATIONS activity center full activities for kids. Museum hours are 10am – 5:30pm.

Wednesday – Celebrate Pi(e) Day at the Maryland Science Center in Baltimore! On 3/14 it’s a celebration of the mathematical constant Pi (3.14) — and the sweet, circular baked dessert. Enjoy all kinds of Pi- and pie-related activities throughout the day along with all of the ongoing fun, engaging exhibits at the children’s museum. The program runs from 10am -2pm, museum hours are 10am – 5pm. Admission is 24.95/adult, 18.95/ages 3 and up, free for 2 and under. (KFDC Tip: Membership options are worth checking out if your family will visit ore than once a year.) Read more about the Maryland Science Center in this KFDC post.

Thursday – Enjoy a musical morning with the Boogie Babes as they bring kiddie entertainment to Eastern Market at 10:30am. King Bullfrog is the featured act this week. Admission is $6/child, and siblings 6 months and under are free. Plan on lunch after the show — there are lots of options at the market or nearby for a tasty bite!

Friday – Explore the woods and wetlands of Huntley Meadows Park in Alexandria. Look for little creatures as you hike — turtles, frogs, fish, and birds are practically guaranteed wildlife sightings — and take in sweeping vistas of the marshland. Be sure to stop in the Visitors Center, where there are several interactive exhibits about the surrounding environment. Open daily from dawn to dusk. Admission is free.

Stop and smell at the USBG's "Plants in Culture" exhibit.

Monday – Visit the U.S. Botanic Garden, where there’s plenty to enjoy both indoors and out. The gorgeous orchid exhibit is currently on view. And the rest of the plant collections are always wonderful to tour, making you feel like you’ve been transported to another region. Kids can flex their green thumbs in the Children’s Garden, where they can play in a miniature house, plant flowers (when available), and pump water. Be sure to stop in the “Plants in Culture” exhibit where little ones will have fun sniffing the aromas of various plants and learning about their everyday uses.

Tuesday – Take advantage of the weather and plan for a picnic at The Yards Park. Lunch at a table overlooking the Anacostia River or spread out a blanket on one of the open grassy areas. Bring along a ball to kick around and, perhaps, a towel and swimsuit for the kids — it may actually be warm enough to play in the fountains.

Wednesday –Bring the kids to play amid the lovely wooded setting of Cabin John Regional Park. They can climb, swing, jump, slide, and run on the sprawling Adventure Playland. Unfortunately, the Miniature Train hasn’t opened yet for the season, but they won’t even miss it with so much other playground to cover.

Thursday – Go on a nature walk at Kenilworth Aquatic Gardens. See ponds filled with giant lily pads and other interesting marsh plants and look for geese, great blue herons, turtles, frogs, and tiny fish on the way. Open 7am – 4:30pm. Admission is free.

Friday – Ride the water taxi between National Harbor and Old Town Alexandria. The Potomac Riverboat Company operates daily between the two destinations. It’s about a 20-minute ride on the river, plenty of time to thrill young mariners. Catch the taxi from either point, cruise to the other side, then stay awhile to explore and eat lunch. Round-trip rides are $16/adults and $10/kids ages 2-11, and you can get a $2 discount by booking online.